With great regret, it has become necessary for intervention in the Hole based on increasingly and extremely reprehensible behavior by a few members. Some of the comments and behaviors go far beyond what would be considered “bad faith” and as such, the moderation team feels the need to intervene.

Examples of behavior that fall under “extremely reprehensible behavior” include celebrating suicide, advocating violence, harassment, attacking family members, and anything else that goes beyond the pale. To use a legal definition this will be applied to behavior, "that (goes) beyond all possible bounds of decency and that it can be considered as utterly intolerable in a civilized community."

A system of suspension and loss of privileges will be put into place immediately following this announcement. Anyone considered to be posting in the above manner will be suspended from the Hole for 2 weeks. If that individual gains access again only to repeat the behaviors, they will be suspended from the Hole for 4 weeks. If that final suspension results in more of the same, a permanent ban from the Hole will go into effect. It will be an escalated action.

It is also necessary to convey that the moderation team is extremely disappointed with how the Hole is being used. For years, it was a place to let off steam or to post humorous material that would not be allowed outside of the Hole. Increasingly, it has devolved into a pissing contest that often spills out onto the main forum because the vitriol has become so toxic. It is disappointing that we have to intervene now, when the Hole has functioned fine for years, but we believe this is the best way to preserve the original intent going forward.

Questions should be directed to any moderator via PM. This is the first and only warning.